Close Range Air Horns: Not a Prank, But an Assault

A captivating image of a puffin, a seabird known for its vibrant beak, has recently sparked an important discussion online. The puffin, shown mid-step with its colorful beak and orange feet, is the centerpiece of an image that addresses a serious issue: the misuse of air horns.

Overlaid on the puffin's photo are the words: "Close range air horns are assault, not a prank. They do permanent damage." This message has resonated with many, leading to numerous reactions and comments on social media.

One user shared, "You do not want tinnitus. I have severe tinnitus, so I'm speaking from experience here," emphasizing the long-term consequences of such pranks. Another disturbing account came from a commenter who revealed, "A kid did this to a vet in my area. It did not end well for either of them."

The sentiment that air horns used at close range are harmful is echoed widely. "Unfortunately, the people who need to hear this do not care. If they did, they wouldn't be doing these kinds of pranks to begin with," a user pointed out, highlighting the indifference of pranksters towards the potential harm they cause.

The harm isn't just theoretical. "Hearing loss is cumulative and permanent. It cannot be stressed enough," one commenter warned, while another added, "Sorry, but there is no amount of 'neural rewiring' that can 'cut out the damaged parts' of a blown-out eardrum."

These air horn pranks can lead to severe reactions. One user recounted their experience: "I used to do valet, had a guy get his truck back and showed off his horn that was rigged to be an insanely loud air horn. I have PTSD and immediately hit the ground crying while he laughed and drove off. Full agreement of this post."

Other users shared similar stories of the negative impact of loud noises: "My wife can whistle about as loud as an air horn blast. Once while I was driving and she was in the passenger seat, she spotted a friend on the sidewalk on the driver's side of the car. So she leaned that direction, got her face about an inch from my ear, and whistled as loudly as she could. That was about fifty years ago and I still have a ringing in my right ear that wasn't there before."

The message is clear: air horn pranks are not harmless fun. They can cause permanent hearing damage and severe emotional distress. The puffin image serves as a poignant reminder that these actions have real, lasting consequences.

The colorful puffin photo with its critical message has succeeded in highlighting the dangers of close-range air horns. It's a call to action for everyone to understand that such pranks are not just inconsiderate, but can also be considered a form of assault due to the permanent damage they inflict.